“I heard you,” I told him, standing up. “I’ll make it happen.”
***
“So what is your proposition?”
Selena dives right in as soon as we are seated in the town car.
“You don’t want me to wine you and dine you first?” I tease, trying to ease the tension radiating off her.
“No. Being wined and dined by you feels dangerous,” she says, scowling.
While I know the scowl is meant to establish a boundary, I just think she looks cute.
“If I just blurt it out in the car, you're sure to say no.”
“Then I’m probably never going to say yes. I’m not a puppy, Griffin. Food rarely motivates me. Even the best food in the country.”
She holds her scowl throughout the ride to Cennet. She is still holding onto it even after we are seated at a prime corner table overlooking the dining room.
“Okay, this place is beautiful,” she admits, giving me a tiny, grudging smile.
After that silent car ride, I have to get my wits together.
“I knew you’d like it.” I wink and hand her the drink menu. “The only thing we can order is wine; the rest is prepared by the chef specifically for us. He’ll come out and talk with us soon.”
“Will he ask what we like and don’t like?” A knot of confusion furrows her brow.
“Usually, he sits down and talks for a few minutes. He reads the table. Then waiters bring the most delicious food you’ve ever tasted.”
“We’ve already had sex, Griffin, and it’s not happening again. You don't need to impress me. On Friday, I will be walking out of your life forever.” She offers a placating smile as she delivers the harsh news.
“I guess it’s time to start making deals then,” I sigh. I want just a little more time without begging.
I’ve decided Selena is the only woman I’ve ever met who doesn’t wantmorefrom me. She’s not chasing my status. That makes her the perfect candidate.
“I’m not making any deals with you. You rescued me from a creep at a sex club, fucked me, gave me a morning-after pill, and then turned out to be a relentless asshole as a boss. You are the polar opposite of what I need.”
She holds her ground as the Chef approaches our table.
“Good evening to the lovely couple,” Chef Hamid says, bowing slightly.
Selena opens her mouth to launch a denial, but I gently knock her foot under the table and give her a warning glare.
Cennet is run by a Turkish Michelin-starred chef who believes in the mystique of the soul. He claims to feed people based on their energy. The poor guy knows nothing of the transactional proposal I'm about to make, and I don't want our bickering to ruin the meal. Believe it or not, I want Selena to have a good night. She's fighting back with every scrap of her sanity to keep from falling into my trap.
The challenge is, Iwanther trapped. For the sacrifice she’ll make to marry me, I’ll secure her future with enough money to change her life forever.
“We’re good,” Selena offers, playing her part perfectly.
“More than good,” I say, smiling wide. I lean over to the chef conspiratorially. “I’m about to propose to this beautiful woman.”
“Ah,” Hamid says, spreading his arms wide. “Love. Love is the best seasoning.”
I see Selena bite her lip. I try not to laugh at how hard she is struggling to hold her tongue.
“Miss.” He turns to Selena. “Is there anything youdon’tlove?”
She looks at him with a sparkle in her green eyes and says softly, “Liars and cheats.” She shrugs her shoulders innocently.
